Horticultural Therapy: 5 Questions You Should Ask Yourself During Plant Care
My plant care regimen has given me a greater appreciation for how I take care of myself. It has become a ritual for healing my mind, body, and soul. Here are the questions I like to reflect on during my plant check-ins.
1. Am I drinking enough water?
Plants need water and so do you. We have a built in moisture meter call our kidneys! Pay attention to your urine color. Dark yellow means dehydration and the lighter it is the more hydrated you are. Make a pact with yourself to stay hydrated. Try getting one of those fancy hydration bottles to keep motivated!
2. Am I getting enough sunlight?
Sunlight is vital for us. Our skin does almost the same thing that plant leaves do. I’ll give you the cliffnote version. We absorb sun rays and it transforms a protein in our skin to Vitamin D. Sounds a lot like chlorophyll eh? Vitamin D is necessary for bone health, metabolism, and immune system regulation. Did you know that if you don’t get enough sunlight it can lead to mental and physical ailments? Go outside friend.
3. Am I giving myself the right nutrients?
If you’ve given your plant extra nutrients before, then you know that if you give them the wrong balance of nutrients they can die quicker. Let’s give our bodies that special treatment too. Is what you’re putting in and on your body going to help you grow healthy and strong? What can you add or subtract from your diet to feel your best?
4. Where do I have room for growth?
Plants try to fill empty spaces with their roots. Where do YOU want to extend your roots? I often look at my personal and professional life. Something is always changing; that’s just how life goes. How can you fill your cup? What is something new you can learn today? Do you need to shed any old habits to make room for better ones?
5. Do I have any “pests”?
When you enter plant parenthood, you will eventually deal with pests. Like plants, we are prone to different forms of “pests” that are physical, mental, and/or emotional. Reflect on what’s been bothering you in the past week and how you can heal from it. Communication with yourself and others is key.
Let’s heal together plant fam! ☼
